Collapsed lung-recovery time?

Just a question....My Husband collapsed his lung last May 2009 from sneezing it caused a pneumothorax . We are going to a theme park this weekend and I was wondering if he can ride any of the roller coasters?

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mollyandalexis

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Wed 23 Jun, 2010 01:24 am

i was sitting in class and all of a sudden i got horrible chest, back and arm pain and i was really short of breath and i couldn't do anything except try to move and walk around and make it stop, but it wouldn't go away so they let me go to the bathroom and i bent over the sink to....... i dont know, breathe better!! but it didn't work, the only think that finally made it feel better was to be strait up against the wall but i went for like two days without going to the doctor for that little episode and when i finally went they took a chest x ray and found my lung was collapsed about half way but they didn't want to put in a chest tube cause they said that i was already in enough pain and that they usually only did that to trauma cause you know life and death kinda thing i guess but all they did was keep me on oxygen for like 3 days and they didn't ever tell me anything about diving or to stay away from anything they even let me go from the hospital with my lung not fully inflated it was inflating by itself and my oxygen levels were like 98 % so that's why but and after that i just went back to normal and did what ever 16 year old did lol and i was a smoker still am i know...... quit yada yada i know

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poppedlung

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Tue 6 Jul, 2010 02:38 pm

I'm Currently recovering from my second pneumothorax in my left lung (got out of hospital 3 days ago), the first was in the right lung 12 years ago. Both times I had an aspiration to remove the trapped air (1.5 litres of air removed on the first, 500ml on the second). I only ever spent just over 24 hours in hospital on both cases. They wanted to keep me in overnight for observations and re-x-ray me in the mornings for the all clear.

I'm currently 29, male and a keen triathlete, so relatively fit. a none smoker and drink very rarely.

As for recovery (well I'm searching for answers/previous experiances myself hence why I'm on here.
I did get told by the doctor that deep sea diving was off the cards now! (not something I'm interested in anyway). The doctor also said that I was not allowed to fly until 6 weeks ahd passed with the lung fully inflated, this is also backed up by the airlines recomending that you don't fly within this period, also, if you were to and your lung went again you would not be covered on your travel insurance.
As for my recovery I'm planning on doing very light bike rides in 2 weeks, but as said before, just work within your means and not too much too soon, listen to your body really.

My 2 pennies worth

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tngrandmother

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Mon 26 Jul, 2010 12:08 pm

@panzade,

would a 15 hr driving trip be advisable after several episodes of a collapsing lung? she has has a lge tumor removed and partial left lug and ribs.she has had her right lung collapsed several times since.she is recovering from surgery for the latest collapsed lung-it collapsed again afte surgery.she wants her dad to drive her from mass. to tn which is horrendous when one is healthy..any advice

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DanDFromNJ

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Sun 1 Aug, 2010 11:27 am

@Wilso,

I am 33 and a nonsmoker and my lung collapsed about five months ago. Whe it occured (Spontaneous pneumothorax, due to a bleb... basically I had a bubble on my lung that popped... blebs are bubbles). When it occured I was in above average shape and could swim a mile straight without much trouble and did so several times a week. The first time I was in the hospital, they did the procedure. They take a tube that is similar im size and width to a beer funnel, cut your side open and push it through to the cavity where the lungs sit. They numb the skin, but the rest is extremely painful. However, it lasts only a few minnutes. Once it enters the cavity, the extra air inside you releases quickly. It sounds like a tire deflating and feels strange and scary, but only last for a few seconds. Then they keep the tube in you attached to a machine that creates negative pressure for several days. The tube is extremely uncomfortable. I was in for four days the first time. I would recomend requeting more time. One of the reasons mine may have recollapsed was not enough time on that tube. Anyway, a few days later mine recollapsed. The doctor decided to do the surgery. They put you under for the surgery. They burn the outside of your lung to scar it so it sits against the wall and gets support there. They staple it. They spray some chemical inside it and scrape it for other blebs. I know a woman that said the procedure (the first thing I explained) was more painful than childbirth. I don't know if that's true, but I do know that the surgery -- even though you are asleep for the actual ooperation -- is as more painful than the procedure as the procedure is more painful than a papercut. I experienced types of pain I didn't know existed in places I did not know I could feel. And that extreme level of pain goes on for weeks and tapers down after a month or two to a cnstant pain I still feel... but it's not as bad as it was and not, after five months, I am getting back to normal. After the surgery, I was in the hospital for ten days. As far as some of the stuff I've read here: you do eventually make a full recovery but it takes a very long time. You can go on planes, just not for the first few months. I was told not to deep see dive but when I asked for more detail was told if I really wanted to dive, it should be fine so long as I don't go too deep... Skydiving and mountain climbing... Anything that cause major changes in air pressure... can also be a problem... but I believe the main problem is the proximity from care in the event of an issue coupled with the increased likelihood of an event since there is a history. In other words, you're lung is not going to automatically burst because you do some of these things once you are healed, but there is an increased chance it will collapse. And, like anything else, the more time that goes by the less chance it will re collapse. Plane rides, again, are fine after the first few months. I was told not to lift anything heavy for six months. I was told full recovery takes about two years. After five months, I am still substantially weaker and in much worse shape than I was, but I look foward to returning to the shape I was in before all this soon. (If you are like me, expect to lose weight right way then gain twice as much during your recovery). Hope this helps. Sorry, but it is a long and terrible journey. But it does end.

I had a collaped lung recently and I did not know the part about the scarring and why it feels so weird, thanks. I will respectfully disagree with you about a recollapse though. Mine recollapsed after only a few days and all I did was lay in bed. I was told a large percentage (I forget I think forty percent) of people that have a collapsed lung have it collapse again within the first year. I heard similar things about scuba diving, but pressed the issue, and was told after a full recorvery (a couple years) shallow scuba diving should be ok, but was still a risk. I do know two people who had a collapsed lung and did roll the dice (years after the event) and were fine. I don't know that I would do it though.

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maryasm

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Thu 28 Oct, 2010 09:47 pm

@Littlekos,

Wonder if you can still read this -
I am recovering from a spontaneous pneumonthorax - hit water hard skiing this summer- don't think it helped.
Not sure if I should ski again?

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maryasm

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Thu 28 Oct, 2010 09:49 pm

@doglover28,

I just had a pneumothorax also, 60% right lung - same thing 45-year-old active non-smoking female.
Having a really hard time recovering from chest tube insertion. Anyone find out anything about that? I can't lie on my back without pressure/pain 6 weeks later.

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maryasm

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Thu 28 Oct, 2010 09:50 pm

@patinmaine,

This is old message? Did you find out about ovarian cancer?

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freespirit31371

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Thu 23 Dec, 2010 05:28 pm

@DanDFromNJ,

I am a 39 old ex-smoker who is currently recovering from a Spontaneous pneumothorax, due to a bleb on my lung. My left lung collapsed on Thanksgiving 2010 as we began eating dinner. My right lung had collapsed in May 2002, so I was pretty sure what the pain that I was feeling, but prayin it was not a collapsed lung. Both times I had a chest tube inserted and both times I spent a week in the hospital. It has a month since my left lung collapsed and I'm still frustrated. I have some pain and sensitivity on the scar itself and sometimes it hurts/burns when I breath in. I was told by the dr (I live in Michigan) that during the colder days, it helps to wear a surgical mask or similiar covering as the colder air makes the lung and heart have to work harder. I was sent home with a incentive spiromemeter that I breathe in to help strengthen the lung. Coughing and sneezing are still quite painful. I was pretty active prior and love to talk, (what woman dosent?) but frustrated that I can only muster out 3-4 words per breath and I'm winded out. I have also been dealing with anxiety as now both lungs have collapsed 8 yrs apart, so every time I get the smallest pain my chest, I get nervous and worked up that my lung is going to collapse again. I was released from the hospital after a week, but was sent home with the chest tube in place, (with a smaller collection device) that was removed a week following discharge from the hospital. I was told of the surgery as the dr. explained, will scruff the chest wall lining in order to guarantee the lung would adhere and not recollapse. I did not have to go through that procedure, but if either lung collapses again, I will have no choice. I did quit smoking cold turkey, no problem! Well, I do have a few problems, when I am around or walk by someone who recently had a cigarette, I feel sick & nausea. Also, food tastes bland, almost horrible. It makes it hard to eat when everything tastes, well not as good as it did prior to the collapse. It makes it hard gain weight back when I have no appetite. I didn't think a collapsed lung was happened to so many people until reading this. Note: The Dr. said the collapse was NOT directly related to me smoking, but definately did not help the matter any. Basically, crap happens! Shirley

wow i am 37 male very active was in the gym about 5 weeks ago had a chest cold was makeing myself cough extreemly hard to get the chest cold out. I thought i was haveing a heart attack i had so much pain in my back and shoulder aand side. The right lung had collapsed 60% theey inserted the tube and i was outta the hospital in 2 days. in bed at home for another 7-10 for the most part. I am still extremly tired i don't have the energy i used to have how long does it take to come back. YOUR INSIGHT WAS VERY HELPFULL THANKS

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27Jax

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Thu 10 Mar, 2011 10:11 pm

@Wilso,

I recently had both lungs collapse due to the bleb issue.. my surgeon suggested the blebs may have burst from increased working hours during the Christmas Holiday season or maybe the increase amount of caffeine I was ingesting (I'm not a cofee or soda drinker) at the time to stay moving.. but they can burt for a number of reasons and many Americans have them and nothing happens...

I had to have 3 different chest tubes, and I got a procedure where they remove the blebs, and staple them shut, then they rough up the chest wall, glue and staple the lung to the chest.. I was in the hospital 3 weeks because I kept having problems with the lungs .. My left lung collapsed and it caused a tension Pneumothorax, when I was in the hospital (luckily I was there, because the tension pneumothorax is very bad to live if this occurs) ..

Now I healed in about 3 months after surgery.. I went back to work, but I still had lots of pain.. My surgeon said I could do pretty much anything but scuba diving or flying... Now he said the pain could take up to a year or longer to feel normal, because of all the moving around of ribs and scar tissues.. He described it as falling from 30 feet.. So if you have the surgery, it can take some time to feel normal, but after a few months you will start to feel yourself..

RECOVERY>>>
From my experience, make sure you do breathing exercises, eat healthy (Fish and fruit are great for cardiovascular health) I also take omega 3 complex available at any rite aid, cvs or wallgreens or whatever drug store is near you .. Also don't run right away!!! start with walking 20 minutes a day, then if you feel comfortable, try a light jog, and keep working your way up.. I ran track in HS and running is a bit of a hobby of mine, so for me it was hard to walk for a while without jogging, but trust me, when i tried jogging/running, I paid dearly for several days afterward.. DON'T EVER PUT A CIGARETTE NEAR YOUR MOUTH!!!! lol. but really, smoking is very stressful to the lungs.. Also, don't stay on the pain killers too long, you should be completely off them after a month or two, narcotics are very nice in the short term, but after that, it's a nightmare to get off them..

Each person will vary depending on how serious your condition was.. In my case, it was more extensive, so my recovery took a while, but you will be able to do everything you used to (which was my biggest fear when it happened).. I'm not an athlete, but I have always been a very active person, so as long as you are dedicated to recovery, you will be fine.. You might have to push yourself, because you will have bad days, but it's a very common issue that is very easy to come back from!

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steveng391

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Wed 16 Mar, 2011 04:48 am

i just recentley got out of hospital with a collapsed lung a drain was inserted into my side i was in hospital for four days now back resting at home but i am getting alot of bubbling like feeling in my chest is this normal

That's a question you should be calling your doctor about. We're not doctors here.

I hope you are feeling better soon.

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Phoenix32890

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Wed 16 Mar, 2011 08:34 am

@steveng391,

After any hospital procedure, it is important that there is a follow up with the surgeon. Considering your symptoms, I would suggest that you call him asap.

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LD1984

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Thu 17 Mar, 2011 05:15 am

Hey everyone..
So I'm recovering from my third collapsed lung now... My left lung collapsed about a month ago, and I gor surgery right away. Well I had to wait two weeks before I got scheduled in. I also have had surgery on my right lung 9 years ago after it collapsed two times in four months.
I've tried to remember, but I guess I sort of forgotten abou t recovery? I can't remember how long it took me to feel better again, so now I'm just staying at home, waiting and waiting till I finally start feeling better. Surgery's been 10 days ago, guess I'm very impatient lol but seriously, how long did it take you to recover?
I had a short holiday planned in about 5 weeks, my doctor told me it was okay to fly, but now I read all these scary stories about not flying for at least 6 months?? Where did you get that information? Isn't it strange how recovery-information can be so different? I'm from Holland, maybe there's other guidelines in Europe than in America, but wha would you guys do? I'm not scared, even though I've had a lot of pain, but I'm so determined not to let a couple of collapsed lungs ruin anything for me, or scare me off for anything.
I would love to hear your reply.

well I just had my first lung collapse sat and they put a chest tube in and pulled it out monday what should I expect from the recovery i was not admitted in the hospital they released me 12 hrs later and went 2 days with a chest tube what should i look for in my recovery time

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scvrox

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Sat 26 Mar, 2011 07:41 pm

I would like to know if any of these patience had taken the acne drug accutane at anytime prior to this condition. The Accutane stops the body from producing natural oils and I believe that it dried out that membrane and thats what caused mine. I am hoping other people will come forward if it has happened to them. And the accutane has long lasting effects so don't rule it out because they weren't concurrent with each other.

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Patricia Rossi

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Mon 4 Apr, 2011 01:20 pm

Hello, I am a 49 year old female, and twenty-two years ago, my right lung collapsed three times over a two-month period...a spontaneous pneumothorax due to blebs forming on the lung. I have nine siblings, and one sister also had a spontaneous pneumothorax twice within the same week one year prior. My father's lung also collapsed twice, the second time causing a tension pneuomothorax which resulted in his death. We had a predisposition to this weakness, and we were all smokers at the time of the onset of our first pneumothorax. The first time my lung collapsed, I was in the hospital for about 4-5 days with a small tube with a heimlich device attached to it. After a final chest x-ray, they sent me home The second time my lung collapsed, two months later, I was sitting at my desk on my computer and the symptoms came on suddenly. I knew exactly what was wrong and went directly to the hospital and asked that they do a chest x-ray. They said my lungs sounded fine, but the results of the xray showed my lung had collapsed again. This time, they inserted the small tube with the heimlich device again, but sent me home to rest and recover. After a number of days, I went back for an x-ray and all seemed well. I left the hospital, stopped off at the grocery store and while there the symptoms came over me again. I turned around and went back to the hospital. This time a chest surgeon was assigned to my case and he suggested major surgery to remove that part of the lung causing the problem. We asked for a second opinion, and the lung specialist treating me for the second pneumothorax advised feeding tetracycline through a tube and scarring the pleura cavity hoping to scar over any blebs or bubbles causing the problem, but only after they had me on a tube connected to a large suction for several days until the lung had reinflated. The treatment - they had me tilted on the hospital bed with my head lowered and my legs elevated. After inserting and dispensing the tetracycline, I rotated from my back, to my right side, to my left side, to my stomach every fifteen minutes for a full hour of treatment. They did not put me under for this procedure, they only increased the dosage of darvocit prior to the treatment. I have never been in such pain in my life. Excruiating. I guess in some cases the old saying is true...no pain, no gain. This solved the problem. One year later I gave birth to twins and they just turned 21 years old in March. After my first collapsed lung, I never picked up a cigarette again. It took me a long time to get control of my life again after this experience. For several years following the event, if I were to experience even the slightest pain in my chest, neck, shoulder or arm, I would become very anxious and fearful that my lunch was collapsing again. These fears dimished over time. Exercise has aways been a part of my life and daily routine, but for the past two years my routine consists of running 4 miles per day, 5-6 times per week, combined with p90x and weight training. I am now in the best shape of my life.

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Stalynn

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Sat 23 Apr, 2011 10:13 am

I am a healthy, non-smoking, 43 year old female. I had bladder surgery and woke up from the surgery with pain in my left shoulder and across the left side of my chest. My back hurt and I had a weird pressure feeling in my lungs for a bout a week. I decided it was time to go to my doctor. After an xray I was diagnosed with a pnuemothorax on my left lung. I spent seven days in the hospital with a chest tube and on suction. The thorasic surgoen scheduled surgery for the eighth day. Thankfully my lung sealed on that day. The chest drain was removed and I was cleared to go home. I am to take it easy and not do anything to strain myself. The hardest part now, is trying not to think about it all the time. Every wierd feeling in my chest makes me worried that it may have happend again. Hopefully this I will get over this. It has been very helpful to read people's experiences.